President & Founder
30 Years in Business
Biography
joan@westwoodpt.com

Physical Therapist
Biography
paul@westwoodpt.com

Paul Mukai, PT, CSCS – Physical Therapist

Paul Mukai, PT, CSCS received his Bachelor of Science degree from UCLA in 1996 and graduated with a Masters of Physical Therapy degree from Mount St. Mary’s College in 2000. He received his Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) designation in 2001 and has worked as a personal trainer prior to becoming a physical therapist. Paul has traveled to international conferences in New Zealand and Brazil and has over 400 advanced training hours in continuing education.

Paul specializes in treating low back and neck pain and enjoys performing effective treatments to reduce pain so patients can return to a more active lifestyle. He is currently working towards the Certification in Manual Therapy (CMT) from the University of St. Augustine, Florida. In his spare time, Paul enjoys running, snowboarding, basketball, yoga and traveling.

Physical Therapist
Biography
susie@westwoodpt.com

Susie Goodridge, PT, DPT, CSCS – Doctor of Physical Therapy

Susie Goodridge, P.T, DPT, CSCS. is a native Canadian. She received her BS in Kinesiology from York University in 1996, her Bachelor of Health Science in Physical Therapy from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1999 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from A.T. Still University in 2009. In 2006 she became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

Susie has been working in private practice for ten years and her specialty is in orthopedic and sport medicine with a focus on spinal dysfunctions. She has also been trained in Pilates mat and reformer through STOTT Pilates International Certification Centre. Susie incorporates her Pilates background in her treatment philosophy. She continues to further her education and skills in orthopedic manual therapy by attending regular courses and seminars and stays involved in her profession as a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Orthopedic section.

Physical Therapist
Biography
jackie@westwoodpt.com

Jackie Lizarraga, PT, DPT – Doctor of Physical Therapy

Jackie Lizarraga is a Southern California native. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biokinesiology from Chapman University in 2005 before going on to get her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Mount Saint Mary’s College in 2008. From there, she spent two plus years as a clinician at Casa Colina Centers of Rehabilitation specializing in orthopedic and neurologic injuries. She has been a clinical instructor for Doctorate of Physical Therapy students from surrounding universities in the Los Angeles area. Additionally, Jackie has conducted several community lectures on topics including osteoporosis, arthritis and balance for older adults.

Jackie has continued her advancement and growth with multiple continuing education course, most recently completing an 8-month orthopedic seminar course thru Loma Linda University. She plans to become an Orthopedic Certified Specialist with an emphasis on foot/ankle injuries and shoulder dysfunction in the near future.

Physical Therapist
Biography
justin@westwoodpt.com

Justin Knapp-Wood, PT, DPT, CSCS – Doctor of Physical Therapy

Justin Knapp-Wood, PT, DPT, CSCS received his Bachelors in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz in 2004 and graduated with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Miami in 2011. To compliment his weight training background and further his knowledge of exercise prescription Justin attained his Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification in 2010. Additionally, seeing the effects of regularly performing Pilates, he pursued formal training in Pilates and earned his Comprehensive Pilates for Rehabilitation Teacher Certification from Polestar Pilates in 2010. His current goals include becoming an Orthopedic Certified Specialist and a Certified Manual Therapist.

As an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Justin is committed to the development of his professional path and his involvement in physical therapy. In addition to physical therapy, Justin enjoys backpacking, snowboarding, gardening, traveling, and practicing Pilates and Yoga.

Patient Care Coordinator
Biography
jessica@westwoodpt.com

Jessica Yi, Patient Care Coordinator

Jessica Yi is originally from Northern California and grew up in the Monterey Bay area. She entered UCLA as a Biology major and graduated from UCLA in 2008 with a BA in History to pursue a career in education. Shortly after graduating, she moved to Yanji, China to volunteer at an orphanage for several months. There she lived in with and worked with disabled children which inspired her to get back into the health field. Since returning to the states, she has been finishing up her pre-requisite courses and preparing for physical therapy graduate programs.

Personal Trainer
Biography
christina@westwoodpt.com

Christina Maria Butler, CPT, CPT Aide, MT

Christina Maria Butler has spent over 5 years focusing on Health and Fitness. At Westwood Physical Therapy, she promotes safe and efficient exercise techniques in a medical gym setting based on proper progression and follows The American College of Sports Medicine guidelines for strength training. Determined to learn the latest in wellness, she stays updated with scientific journals and continues to study anatomy while attending The California Healing Arts College for the massage therapist master’s program.

Being a certified Tai Chi instructor through California Tai Chi, she shares her love for the healing art by traveling to various retirement homes. On the other side of the fitness spectrum, she instructs a boot camp class for clients that are looking to drop a quick 5-10 pounds and need the extra push to get there.

Christina’s personal training certification is from The National Academy of Sports Medicine, and she obtained her CPR/ BLS card from the American Heart Association. After graduating from the Southern California Health Institute with a state-recognized certification for Physical Therapy Aide, Christina went on to work for Dr. Mohsen Hamza in a neurology center administering physical therapy. Her experience includes but is not limited to working with clients that have health conditions such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, and traumatic brain injury. Her passion is in the exploration of the relationship between movement and consciousness and hopes to inspire healing through proper progressed strength training programs.

www.safefitliving.com